SOMEONE will die in West Bay unless pedestrians can find a safe place to cross.

That was the warning issued by Bridport Town Councillor Martin Ray.

West Bay campaigner Chris Cherry addressed councillors at a full council meeting on the problems still being felt in the harbour with the changed priority and lack of a safe crossing.

He was asking for town council support to get the road layout changed and a crossing put in next to St John’s Church – a move supported by a petition of nearly 1,500 people.

Coun Martin Ray said the refuge should be put back.

He said: “If they don’t put a crossing in someone is going to get killed.”

Coun Dave Rickard said: “It is about the distance that older people have to travel looking at a certain direction of traffic. That was the point made by the people of Harbour House. They need a refuge because it is two-way traffic there. Older people need that safety position.”

He suggested if the county council was so strapped for cash then town councillors could go to the South Street tip, get free pots of paint and paint a crossing themselves.

Coun Ros Kayes said: “I am really concerned about the crossing point. It is imperative that it is progressed as soon as possible.”

She and Coun Gillian Summers had been to a meeting where county highways were asked to cost various options.

Coun Kayes added: “Suggestions included changing the entire road surface from the junction where the priority has changed to St John’s Church.

“I think that would be very prohibitive and very confusing.

“The second thing they were asked to cost for was to put a different coloured tarmac in the shape of a crossing, That would be much cheaper and much easier.”

Coun Robert Gould, leader of West Dorset District Council, said: “We will now be working with Dorset County Council to prepare an alternative design for the scheme which will allow two-way traffic at Haddon House and incorporate features that will make it easier for cyclists to cross the rumble strip.”